Roto Robot by SH HORIKAWA — Made In Japan In 1968 — Tin 8.8" Tall — NICE | RARE

Description

Roto Robot by SH HORIKAWA — Made In Japan — Tin 8.75" Tall ... 1968 —  NICE
Included is just the robot. No box. The first 9 photos are of the actual robot. The last 3 photos are from the web and are informational purposes only. The photos describe much more about condition than just the description.
The robot does not work. According to the web, the most likely culprit is that the light is burnt out, which is very repairable. The condition of this roto robot is very good, especially considering its age and is 100% original. The exception is the clear orange plastic guns. There is slight corrosion, see photos. Specifically, the chrome parts (eyes and mouth) will need polish. The robot does have a few scrapes on body. The battery box is clean.
Offered is a Roto Robot from Japan. Probably estimated to be 1968, the tin toy with graphics was made by Horikawa in Japan. This robot perfectly shows the combination of tin and plastic parts. The head, arms and legs are made of plastic, the body is lithographed tin. The unusual robot rotates constantly while he fires his guns and walks forward. Roto Robot was produced in several different litho variations and even reproduced in Brazil by Estrela. Horikawa 60’s Roto Robot Battery Operated 8.75 inches (22 cm) original tin toy Space Robot. Roto Robot, realistic stride, rotates body 360 degrees, shoots with sound and flash, Battery Operated 8.75 inches (22 cm). The photos show some of the robot offerings of the day.
These small size Plastic + Metal Robot is typical at last part of Horikawa's business in market. Horikawa was founded in 1959 as Tin Toy vender, and it has (SH) trademark. Horikawa moved towards being the top Robot toy vender. Early Robot models started using winding spring as a motor, and then replaced by electric motor model with AA battery.
The early model is about 22 cm height with thin tin metal, and it's called 1st generation and then 2nd generation came middle of 60's. This 2nd generation is the most prosper time, and many new venders are coming in market to announce variety of products. Size of Robot become bigger and 30 cm height, implementing a lot of new action features using very complex mechanism and tricks. It is golden time for Tin Robot, and Horikawa produced various type of unique Robots which telling history of Tin Robot. In 1970, Plastic become popular material even for Toys, it's 3rd generation. Many parts of Tin Robot are replaced by plastic.
Per the web, The Horikawa Roto Robot can be easily repaired. Early models are made all by Tin Metals, but in later model, Head, Arms and legs are replaced by Plastics. So, retail purchase price declined as plastic parts we used instead of tin-metal parts. All plastic parts should be handled with care, because after 30 years, plastics lost its flexibility and very easy to have crack, especially Battery box is most weak parts and easily cracked when place battery. Please handle gently.
Disassembly sequence usually starts from taking out Head, take off chest and open body. Must need special tool to vent tabs behind hole. Special tool can be made by yourself, because may not find at tool shop. Motion may not be in balance during rotating or walking, because of weight of battery is heavier to compare with battery in 30 years ago. It was much lighter than today's one. Most of Rote-Matic robots fall down during rotating causing the incandescent electric light to break inside.
Horikawa's logo (SH) is usually not marked and even most of them are no logo, but "made in Japan" note is there only inside of battery case. There are few reproduction parts in market, especially plastic parts, like window, are no replace parts. Please be careful to handle plastic parts. Some plastic window / laser gun assembly and battery compartment has reproduction parts available, but it is too far from originals.